11/02/2005

Mitchell receives life term for Jodi's murder

Luke Mitchell has been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison for the murder of his 14-year-old girlfriend, Jodi Jones.

Sixteen-year-old Mitchell was found guilty of Jodi's murder last month, at the High Court in Edinburgh. The teenager had been stabbed to death in a savage attack in 30 June 2003, after being stripped and tied-up. Her body was found in woods near her home in Dalkeith, Midlothian. She had gone out to meet Mitchell, who was also fourteen at the time.

During the trial, the court heard that Mitchell was a regular cannabis user, with a fascination for Satanism and goth rock star, Marilyn Manson.

Judge Lord Nimmo Smith described the crime as "one of the worst cases of murder of a single victim to have come before the court in many years". He also said that there were similarities between the injuries suffered by Jodi and those portrayed in the painting of Elizabeth Short, the notorious 'Black Dahlia' murder victim, by Manson.

Lord Nimmo Smith said that he had taken account Mitchell's age and the fact that he had no previous convictions, but also said that the seriousness of the crime had to be addressed. He said that Mitchell should serve 20 years before parole could be considered.

(KMcA/SP)

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02 February 2011
Jodi Jones Killer's Sentence Appeal Refused
An appeal to reduce the minimum term of a life sentence of convicted murderer Luke Mitchell has been refused. In 2003 the 22-year-old was given a minimum jail term of 20 years after he was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Jodi Jones.
15 April 2004
Teen in court over Jodi Jones murder
A 15-year-old youth has appeared in court today charged with the murder of Dalkeith schoolgirl Jodi Jones. The teenager appeared before Edinburgh Sheriff Court this morning charged with murder and an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made no plea and was remanded to secure accommodation.
28 July 2003
Police review Jodi Jones murder probe
An independent team will today begin a review of police investigation into the murder of Scottish teenager Jodi Jones. Fourteen-year-old Jodi's body was found on June 30 in a wooded area near Dalkeith. She had been killed in a "frenzied and vicious attack".
08 March 2006
Jodi killer set to appeal
The teenager convicted of the murder of schoolgirl Jodi Jones has been granted leave to appeal against the conviction. Luke Mitchell, who is now 17, was convicted of the 14-year-old's murder in January 2005. Jodi's body was found on a secluded woodland path in Dalkeith in June 2003.
28 April 2011
Arrests Follow New Mitchell Murder Probe
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